Apparatus for roasting and sintering ores.



A. s.' DWIGHT.

APPARATUS POR ROASTING AND BINTBBING DRES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3 1907.

916,392. Patented Mar.23,19o9.

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fwn/WW2@ A. S. DWIGHT.

AIPIARATUS FOR BOASTING AND SINTERING GRES. APPLIUATION FILED JUNI; 3,1907.

'9136,392. Patented Mar. 23; 1909. f

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

2mm@ E Z S a5 moved.

5 A- livered for the roasting and sintering operal preferably of funnel shape, as indlcated at UNITED sTATns PATENT orrrou.

ARTHUR S. DWIGHT, OF JOLIET, ILLINOIS, ASSIIKGNOR TO FRED. BENNITT, TRUSTEE, j

i OF JOLIET, ILLINOIS. v

APPARATUS FOR ROASTING AND SINTERING DRES.

Teal] .whom it 'mo-y cof/wem: l

Be itknown that I, ARTI-inw S. DWIGHT, a citizeny of the United States, residing at Joliet, yinthe lcounty of IVill and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Roast' ing yand Sintering Orcs, of ywhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for treating ores, and particularly to those which require roasting and sintering-sucli as sulfur-carrying copper oresand are of such nature that once being ignited an internal combustion of some content of the ore-mass can be maintained, provided an oxidizing atmosphere be supplied.

- The invention has t'or its object to produce an apparatus that may be worked automatically and economically in the treatment of such ores for the pur )ose of reducing them to a sintered 'mass oi' convenient form and nature for subsequent treatment in a blast furnace, R p

In an application led by me on the 14th day of December, 1906, Serial No. 34T ,87 2 I described three forms of mechanism or apparatus for roasting and sintering ore of the character above lreferred to. One of these forms of apparatus comprised as the kore supporting and carrying means an endless series .of receptacles, buckets, pans or ga'llets flexibly connected to each other by (rive chains; another comprised as theore supporting and carrying means a drum-like body turning about a horizontal axis; and the third included as the endless ore carrier a horizontally rotating table-like or ring- `like structure, which is herein described and made the subject matter of this present application. A

In the'accompanying drawings, Figure l. Ais a .\ie.w, the haltl to the right being in elevation and the half to the left being in' cen-'- tral vertical section. Fig. 2 is ay view of the sameapparatus, asseen from above, the half to thelright being in plan, andthat to the left being in plan witlrthe grate sections re- `isja side elevationof another form of apparatus lia-vlug a table l1ke or ring-like orecarrieix J Fig. 5 shows 1n perspective a sec- 'lf c a l tlon of t-he ore-carrying table illustrated 1n Figs.' 3 and 4. A l l Ihc apparatus upon winch the ore 1s de- Fig. 3 is a. plan view, and Fig. 4t.

Speccationpf Letters Patent. Application ledJune 3, 1907. Serial No. 377,066.

Patented March 23, 1909.

tion is in the form of an annular box built up of a number of segments, combined with means for delivering the ore thereto, for igniting the ore, for insuring passage of an oxiding atmosphere through the. ignitedmass ot ore, and for removing the ore after.

it has become sintered. i

In the drawings A represents an .annular shaped foundationupon which is lsupported a circular' track B. Upon this track is supported theannular table upon which the ore roasting and sintering operations take place. This table is formed of a number of boxlike segments C, bolted together end toend as indicated at` c. As represented, the table consists of eight segments, though agreater or less number mayv be employed as desired. Each segment .comprises a bottom 2, an outer curved wall 3, an innercurved wall 4, and two ends, Each section isl open ended at the top, or is provided with inturnedflanges 6, Y, having rabbeted edges to receive the grate sections '1). The grates D may be of any usual or preferred construclso tion, those which I prefer to employ being.

ofthe well known herring-bone construction.

The supporting wheels E that run upon' the track or rail B are supported in brackets 1c, depending from the box-like segmental sections C. The inner wall 4 ofeachsegment C is perforated at 8 and a neck, or a short` section of pipe, flanged at its ends and indicated at 9, is secured thereto. .A pipe or wind-trunk 10 connects each neck 9 with a neck or short section of .pipe `11 extending radially from a cylindrical drum 12 situated at the center of the apparatus. This drum connects by a pipe or condultpl wlth a suction-fan 14 which is driven 1n any sultablel manner, as by a belt passing around thel pulley 15. l

' 16 represents a pipe or duct for carrying otl the gases that may be drawn through the fan from the suction box l2. The central part of the apparatus, including thesuction box and its connections with-the several' segments C, is suitably supported. I have represented a foundation, a. ot masonry or suitable material upon which is mounted a i -19, thus providing* means for clearing the 17, and it is to the taperingoutside walls of this portion of the suction box that the bearing piece H is preferably secured. The lower end of the funnel shaped portion of the section box is formed into a spout sectit/on 18 in whichrmay bevmounted a damper y a drilve pinion K supported upona shaft la Ymounted in,r suitable frame-work and a'ry ranged to be driven by atrain of gearing L receiving its power from any suitable source.

`Directly in front of the hopper there ismounted a roller M arranged to bear upon the ore /mass delivered to the grates to smooth or level its upper surface,

' It will be observed by reference to the drawings that the grates areI not provided with retaining flanges for confining the ore ,mass delivered thereto, as these are unnecessary when the grates are flat and are v. horizontally arranged, as shown.' Indeed it is desirable to dispense withY any retain` ,ing flanges as the removal of the sintered mass of ore" aftertheroasting has been completed is facilltated thereby. i

Immediately in front of or in advance of the roller'M is a gas-pipe N, perforated or provided with jet orifices. y This constitutes an lgniter for starting the combustion in the 'ore-mass, the flame produced by the burning gas issuing from the jets of the 'pipe N impinging upon the .smooth surface 1 of the mass of ore. Withink eachy of the pipes l() there is mounted a buttery valve 20v adapted when set in one position to close the pipe and when turned in another position to leave the pipe open so that there is free communication between the suction box or drum 12 and the chamber within that boxC to which the pipe connects.` rIhe stein or shaft 2l of each valve 20 is provided with a set oftappets or arms 22, adapted to engage with stationary stops or pins" 23,` 24, arranged close to thev path followed by the stems or shafts of the valves. the s'topsor pins is located just in advance of ythe igniter N, yand yoperates to set the valves in position to open the pipes, while thevother stopor pin is set in position to "close the valves alittle before the pipes come opposite tothe feed hopper I.`

Its front edge o ispreferably'serrated so asv One of to assist in breaking up the ore-masses, and lies close to or bearing upon the grate surfaces. The scraper is stationary and is provided with edge flanges o. The pieces of sintered ore are forced outward along the scraper which also forms a sort .of trough, and are delivered upon an inclined feedboard or apron P whence they may pass to cars or other y suitable receptacles.

The operation of the apparatus may now be described. Power 1s applied to the train of gearing Ii and to rotate the fan lll. The .y annular horizontally disposed table 1s slowly turned, the grate sections passing successively under the feed-hopper and by the igniter N, and, after making a nearly complete revolution, pastvthe scraper O. The fine ore material is fed from the h'opper upon the grate and is smoothed by'the roller and immediately thereafter ignited by the flame from the gaspipe N. .The particular box C that is loc-atedunder the scraper, the p feed hopper and Pthe igniter, is always cut off lfrom communication with the suction mechanism by the valve 20, which has been turned into closing position by the engagement of one of therarms or tappets 22 with t-he stop or pin 24. Immediately after the lore is ignited, the box or the section Cbelow of the scraperO, when the valve is closed as already described. The speed of the table is so uregulated`th'at the ore will be completely roasted and sintered vby the time it reaches the scraper, when it will'be in tit condition for removal.

It will be understood that the connection ofthe vertical legof the pipe 13 leading t o l the suction fan with the drum or box 12 is `the ore-mass byV which the sulfur or other combustible content is oxidized is from tbe topdownward, so that theparticles ofthe V ore with reference one to the other are not agitated by the passage of the alr `which 1s drawnthrough the mass to maintain rapid and perfect combustlon.

These advantages have'been set out in applications filed jointly by myself and Richard L. Lloyd and need not be further referred to herein.

Iii Figs. 3 and et a modification of the same -mechanism is shown. In this case the Vair trunk or chest R is stationary and the table moves above it. The ore is fed through a hopper 'I and distributedin a stream along the'top of the table. It is. tired or lighted at `N and is discharged at O. The table is supported by;acentral vertical shaftgor mast Q from' which Varms g extend down and out- Ward and' are secured to the ore supporting part. The operation o'f this modified form of lapparatus Will be readily understood. The air is drawn from the box or triink R by the fanor exhauster 15, the length of the air box being such as to permit the complete koxidizing' and 'sintcring of the ore` by the that there will be no-idle part.

time the latter reaches the place of discharge.

vInanapplication for patent tiled June 3, 1907. by myself and Richard L. Lloyd, jointly Serial No. 377,058, for apparatus for roastingy and sintering ore, We have .shown and described a mechanism wherein the supporting and carrying device for the ore is made'in a series of sections, flexibly connected together after the manner of an endless lchain conveyer, and larranged to travel in' vertical planes. And While there are some features of structure and of opera.-

tion common to the mechanism therein set forth and that herein presented, there are, under some circumstances, advantages incident to a construction of the present character. Fory example, in mills ivhere there is not available room or space on vertical lines, 'sufficient to conveniently erect a mechanism of theclass having the carrier so constructed and .arranged that it will travel in vertical planes, an apparatus of the kind herein is preferable, as it requires but little space vertically and all of the operative parts can be arranfrcd so that. they can be readily inspected from the ground level. Moreover, a mechanismof this sort can be so constructed and have its part-s so arranged, The hopper or feeder` for the ore, and the horizontally1 moving support vandy carrier can be so arran ed that the point of discharge or unloading of the sinter can be closely adjacent to the hopper or feeder and igniting device. The ore ,is upon the traveling carrier ,throughout substantially its entire cir- `cuit; power is not consumed in carrying 37a,809,' v have shown 1d described an apparatus lfor roasting ant sintering ore in which is embodied an endle ore support or carrier having its successive ore-receiving sections or parts rigidly secured and all ar ranged to simultaneously move through a predetermined path about a common axis, the endless ore support there shown being in the form of a drum turning about a horixontal axis. And in said application are presented the broader claims forl an endless carrier, the parts of which are rigidly connected and arranged to move simultaneonsly in a predetermined path. And in still another application tiled by myself solely onl December 14, 1906, Serial No. 347,872, there are shown and described a number ofl features `of construction andarrangement of parts Which, broadly. considered, are similar to some of the features presented -in the present application. For cX- lample, in the said application, Serial No. at'LSTQ., there yis presented an ore support -and carrier' with an air chamber or trunk adapted to supply air and gas to, or receive air and gas from the several successive sections or part's of the ore carried together with a series of air chambers, each adjacent lto a part of the ore carrying mechanism. In the saidapplication, Serial N o. 347,872, these chambers for the air or gas are combined with an ore holder that travels around a horizontal axis. in the construction of the present application, the air chambers het-Ween the main trunk or duct are somewhat differently arranged andtravel with the flat horizontally arranged table, I have in the other application, ,Serial No. 347,872, presented claims relating to both these constructions, as concerns the air chambers, preferring in the present case to have the claims for those parts relate to a horizontal arrangement. y

"Nhatl claim is 1. ln an apparatus 'for roasting and sintering ore by combustion-within the ore mass` an ore support or carrier adapted to be moved continuously in a substantially horizont-al. substantially circular path, and having a grate surface on which the ore rests While movinT in said circular path,` substantially as set forth.

2. An apparatus for roasting and sintering ore by combustion in the ore mass, the

combination of an endless ore support or tering ore by combustion in the ore mass, the

combination of an endless ore support or carrier formed of separate sections secured rigidly together, means for moving the ore support in approximately horizontal planes and means for supplying-air to support the combustion in the ore Iii-assi substantially as set forth` 4. In an apparatus for roasting and sintering ore by combustion in the ore mass, the combination of a series of grate sections on which the oreis Isupported. means for moving the said grate sections in approximately horizontalalanes, an air chamber under each section, and means connected with each air chamber for causing air tvo/pass thx-oi n the ore mass on the grate above, snbstani :ally s set forth. y y

In `an apparatus for roasting and sintering ore by combustion in the ore ma the combination of an endless ore support or carrier and -means for niovingtlie carrier in horizontal planes, a. series of-separate air .chambers arranged under the oi'e support, and means for successively connecting the said air chambers with means for causing; air to pass through the ore. masses above the chambers, substantially as set forth.

6. In an apparatus for roasting and sintering ore by 'combustionin the ore mass, the

combination of an endless ore support, a series of separate air chambers'arranged under the ore support, an air vdrum or box, anair moving deviceyconne'cted therewith, and `separate connections between the said air drum or box and the said air chan'ibers, respectively, .substantially as set forth.

'7. In an apparatus for roasting and sintering ore by combustion in the ore mass, the

Y combination of an endless movable orc sup,-

port,.means for moving the said support 1nl horizontal planes and a series of airnchambers con'imunicating with the ore support and movable therewith, substantially set forth.

8. In an apparatus for roasting and sin'- tering ore. by con'ibustion in the ore mass, the

' combination ofjan' ore support, means for moving the-support vin horizontal planes, a series of air chambersl communicating with the support, means for causing moremint of air to support. combustion `iii the ore masses coniiectedwith the .said air chambers, 'and means for putting the said air clian'ibers into communication with and 'cutting` them oil from the said air moving'. means successively, substantially as set for-th.

9. In an apparatus for roasting and siiiieiiiig ore by combustion in the ore mass, the combination of a flat horizontaily disposed grate surface on which the ore is placed, a. scraper having its edge arranged close to and extending across the grate sur face, the scraper .being arranged to remove .the sintered ore from the =grate, and means for moving one of the said parts relative to` the conibii'iation of a flat., horizontally disposed annular grate surface on lwhich the orc is placed, means for feeding' the ore to 'the grate. a scraper for removing the sintered ore havingq its edge arranged close to and extending across the grate surface, and means for turningthe annular grate surface about a vertical axis, substantially asset forth.

, l1. In an apparatus for roasting' ne'ore,

the combination of a movable surface uponk which the ore is deposited, a feed hopper' for `the ore, a roller for smoothing the surface of the orc. means for causing air to pass through the ore, and an igniting device between the roller andthe last. lsaid means, substantially as set forth. .I

1Q. In an -ore roasting and sinteriir' apparatus, the combination of a 'grate sur-y face upon which the ore is supported arranged about 'a vertical axis around which it turns, a. centrally disposed air box or drum, separate air chambers communicating with separate sections of the L 'rate surface, separate connections between the several air chambers and the said central air box or drum, air moving apparatus connected with theV central air box, `and means for cutting olf the air chambers successively from thev air box, substantially vas set forth.

13. apparatus, the combination of a circular track, an annular horizontally disposedore ing); the ore to the said support at one point' in the circle of its rotation, means for causing; air to pass throughthe ore While it is traveling' through the said path, and means adjacent to the ore 'supplying device for withdrawing the roasted ore from the support at a, point near the terminus of the said circular path, substantially asset forth.

l5. In anA apparatus for roasting ore, the ,combination of the ore support arranged to In an ore 'roasting and sintering` support mounted upon said track, a series rotate in horizontal planes around a vertical axis, means for supplyingto the said supportl a layer or stratum -of ore, means for regulatinajthe dept-h of said. stratum, and causing it to be substantially uniform throughout, means for igniting the ore at its surface at points adjacent .to .the deptht regulating device, and means for causing currents of air to pass through the said ore during the period of time vfrom its delivery iso the said ring, air collecting or guidingv mechanism carried bythe ore-support, sup` porting Wheels or rollers beneath the ore support, and a guide or track for the said wheels or rollers, substantially as set forth.v

17 Iii an apparatus for roasting ore, the combination of the-` ore support lprovided with a perforated bottom adapted to hold or restrain the ore mass and also adapt-ed to.v permit rthe passage lof air therethrough, said support being arranged to rotate in asubstantially circular path, a seiies ofair ducts or trunks adjacent to the ore support and adapted to, receive andguide the air passing to or through it, an air trunk at' the axis of the ore support, and means for causing said axial. airy trunk lto communicate with the said air ducts or trunks successively, sub- 1 stantially as set forth.

j' 18. In an apparatus for roasting ore, the

, combination with a series of ore supporting grate sections, air chambers located in proximity Yto the grate sections, a common air duct through which air iscaused to move to maintain ycombustion in the ore on the grate sect-ions, and air pipes or conduits forming constant connections between t-lie said coinmon air duct and theseveral air chambers, substantially as set forth.`

'19. Iii an apparatus for roasting ore, the combination of ore supporting grate sections arranged ifi a circular` series about a vertical axis, a series of air chambers under the said grate-sections, means for turning the grate sections and air chambers together about the said vertical axis, and a means common to the said air chambers arranged to cause air to pass through the grate sections and t-lie ore supported thereon, substantially as setforth.

20. .In kanroreroasting apparatus, the conibiiiat-ion of 'ate sections for supporting the ore arrange `iii circular series, the grate sections being substantially horizontal and turning abouta 'vertical axis around which the frate sections are arranged, air cliam'- bers ocated under the grate sections, means for turning the grate sections and the air chambers about the said vertical axis, acominon'air dubt through which air is caused to move to maintain combustion in the ore on the grate sections, and Yair pipes or conduits forming constant connections between the said common air ductand 'therseveral air chambers, substantially as set forth.`

S21. In an lapparatus for roasting ore, the combination of grate sections :tor supporting the orearranged in a circular series about a center of rotation, aseries of separate air chambers located under the grate sections, means'for turning the grate sections and the air chambers together about the said center, the common air -duct through which air is caused to-inbve to support combustion in the ore uponl the gra-te sections, air ducts or con- -duitsfconstituting constant connections be-` tween the said common duct and the several air chambersrespectively, and valve devices by which the flow of air through each chamberinay be regulated and controlled. A

9.2. In an apparatus for roasting ore, the combination of grate sections arranged in an endless series, a series of separate air chainbersllocated in proximity to the grate sections, a centrally located air duct oi conduit, and radiating or outward extending air pipesor conduits connecting the several air chambers respectively with the central air. duct, substantially as set forth. "23. VIn an apparatus for roasting ore, the combination of grate sections arranged in an endless series, a series of separate air chambers located in proximity to the grate sections, a centrally located'air duct or conduit, radiating or outward extending air pipes or conduits connecting the several air chambers respectively with the central air duct, and valvedcrices loca-ted in the outward extending connecting air conduits, substantially as set forth. j

21. In an apparatus for roasting ore,y the combination of grat/e sections arranged in an endless series, a series of separate air chambers located in proximityto the grate sections, a centrally located air duct or conduit, air conduits connecting the said central duct' with the several air chambers respectively, and means for successively charging Vwith ore the. sections of grate adjacent to the air chambers, and for 'causing the discharge of theore after it has been roasted, substantially as set forth.

25. In anapparatus for roasting ore, the combination of ore supporting grate sec tions, a rotating circular frame in which the said grate sections are supported in series, means for supplying ore successively to the grate sections, means for ,rotating the circular holder in horizontal planes, means for causing currents of air to pass through the grate sections, and means for causing the discharge of the ore from the grate sections successively after it has been treated,

substantially as set forth.

26. In an ore roasting apparatus, the combinattion of a horizontally arranged rotary support, air y.chambers in the s aid support, anti-friction devices upon which the said support rests, a series of grate sections in `the support arranged in proximity to the` air chambers, means for turning the said support about an axis of rotatlon, means locatedin proximity to the axis of rotation yfor causing air to pass through the said chambers and through the grate sections,

ores and the like, consisting of a receiving gratefor supportingthe charge, means forV revolving the grate bodilyabout an upright axis, and ineau's for causing aeriform fluid to traverse the-charge,` substantially as de- 28. Apparatus for the metallurgical treatment of ores andthe like, consisting of a receiving. grate for supporting the charge, means for revolving the grate bodily about an upright axis, means for feeding the charge to the grate in a uniform layer, means forcausing aeriform fluid to traverse the charge and grate as it passes a predetermined point in the grates reyolution, substantially as described.

29. Apparatus for roasting and sinteringY oresFand the like, consisting of any upright hollour mast, an outlying receivingfgratc for support-ing the charge, land aeriform fluid conduits right mast, an outlying grate carried thereby, supplementary `carrying Wheels for assisting in sustaining the grate in its rotary travel, and means for causing ,an aeriform fluid to pass through the grate, substantially as described.

in testimonyJ whereof I affix my signature, 'in presence of two Witnesses.

ARTHUR S. DWIGHT. l

- 'Vitnessesz G. E. SEYMOUR, SOL SnKULsKY.

ading from below -the grate :1. to the hollow of the mast, substantially as 

